It seems the F1 teams might be in for a rude awakening after enjoying the relative luxury and spaciousness of the paddock facilities in the Tilkedromes such as Shanghai, Sepang and Istanbul, with the apparently modest pit facilities at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve (pictured) playing host to the 24-car circus this weekend.

Much has been made that the 12 teams will have to “squeeze” themselves into the confines of the Montreal pit lane, but this seems a little precious to me! Recall the 1989 season, when up to 20 teams were competing for the precious real estate and a coveted spot on the 26-car grid?

Does the term ‘prima donna’ mean anything to anyone?

Brad Spurgeon of the New York Times disparagingly described the Canadian Grand Prix facilities as being from an era of the past.

“It is this place that reminds me more than any other track on the F1 calendar of the look and feel of what it was like to go to Mosport to attend the first ever Canadian grand prix in 1967,” he wrote.

However, the event’s promoter, Francois Dumontier, has been quick to defend the venue for this weekend’s first return to the North American circuit since the 2008 season.

Speaking with the French-language RDS TV station, he said: “They need to put water in their wine.

“They are fortunate to go on tours where governments have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in facilities. The essence is the race track and I think that our facilities are adequate,” he added.